NFC

Sporting News, The, Feb 19, 2001

Arizona

ON THE MEND: C Mike Gruttadauria is optimistic about his comeback because the questionable vertebrae in his neck is stronger after surgery. Doctors say he will play next season, but Gruttadauria acknowledges he won't know for sure until he starts hitting. He says if he were coach, he would have an "asterisk" next to his name. Expecting that heightened scrutiny can only push Gruttadauria to play harder once he passes the initial physical challenge.... The team might not tag a franchise player. The only candidates are DE Simeon Rice, who might be too expensive, and CB Aeneas Williams. Williams, though less expensive, is at the end of his career and wouldn't be around when the team is ready for a playoff run. It will try to re-sign him, but he has the option.

HOT COMMODITY: Coach Dave McGinnis recently made it clear he wants RB Michael Pittman back. With so many teams looking for backs--the Vikings now included with Robert Smith's retirement last week--Pittman might be in demand despite his restricted free-agent status. The key to his staying in Arizona? If the team gives Pittman a high tender offer, another team would have to surrender a couple of high draft picks to sign him. With the value of picks in today's salary-capped NFL, that virtually assures Pittman will return. --Darren Urban

Atlanta

BONUS BUCKS: Coach Dan Reeves says the Falcons will do whatever is necessary to keep potential unrestricted free-agent CB Ray Buchanan, who led the team with six interceptions and was third with 99 tackles last season. The possibility of using the franchise tag for the first time in team history even has been discussed. But though the team has initiated talks with Buchanan's agent, it may have difficulty finding funds to match demands for what likely would be another team-record signing bonus. The team already gave OT Bob Whitfield a six-year, $30.3 million deal with a team-record $8 million signing bonus, one year after giving RB Jamal Anderson a $32 million deal with a $7.5 million bonus. The Falcons also will have to hand out another big bonus to their first-round draft pick. They own the fifth overall pick.

ROSTER MOVES: The team added two free agents to the roster: K Chad Holleman and DB Jeff Popovich. Holleman was signed as an undrafted rookie by the Patriots last year but waived in training camp. Popovich was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted rookie and also waived in training camp.... The team has allocated Popovich, Holleman, LB Corey Atkins, FB Kevin McLeod, DT Doug Miller, RB Mark Nohra and WR Mareno Philyaw to NFL Europe. --Charles Odum

Carolina

OVER THE TOP: The club is in no hurry to make the needed salary cap trims. Some moves are obvious. FB William Floyd and RGs James Dexter and Bryan Stoltenberg are carrying big cap figures and are likely to be released or have their contracts restructured. Floyd is a solid blocker, but backup Chris Hetherington has shown he can do an acceptable job at a lesser salary.... The team loves carrying three cornerbacks with starting experience--Doug Evans, Eric Davis and Jimmy Hitchock--but is it affordable? LBs Dean Wells and Lee Woodall also have big salaries and at least one might be released. P Ken Walter is coming off a mediocre season and is carrying a relatively large cap figure.... If he doesn't retire again, DE Regie White will have to take a serious pay cut to remain with the team, which is deep at that position with Jay Williams, Mike Rucker, Jason Peter and Chuck Smith.

AREA OF NEED: Though the offensive line is the greatest area of need, an early draft pick might be used on a running back. Tshimanga Biakabutuka has been unable to stay healthy throughout his career, and the team might be wise to find a more durable feature back. Brad Hoover did a decent job filling in last season but is not a breakaway threat. Hoover is ideal as a short-yardage runner and backup fullback. --Pat Yasinskas

Chicago

PLANNING STAGE: New offensive coordinator John Shoop is determined to make this a physical team. Word is he has players quietly excited about next season. Though there will be no drastic changes--the team can't afford an overhaul during a season in which it needs to win--they will be substantial, especially the shift to a running game. The blocking scheme will be the same--getting the linemen to move along matching angles to seal gaps and allowing the backs to go north and south with just one cut. The receivers will simplify, running closer to a West Coast scheme and executing mutes as called rather than making complicated changes on the fly.

A KEEPER: DE Bryan Robinson is the Bears' No. 1 priority before the signing period, and they are prepared to use a transition tag to keep their option to match any offers for the unrestricted free agent. The team might reach its goal of a long-term deal for an every-down lineman who can play tackle. Robinson wants the experience of testing his value on the open market.... Don't look for RB Curtis Eels to get a tender offer as a restricted free agent. The former No. 1 pick never has fully recovered from a torn ACL in 1998, and a tender offer would have to be more than $825,000. That is more than the team wants to spend on Enis, who is barely a role player. --John Mullin